Inaugural Innovating West Conference takes place at NUIG on 13th March.

The inaugural Innovating West Conference is taking place at NUIG on 13th March.

The event is a celebration of past innovation and achievement, current entrepreneurship and talent, and the future opportunities for business in the West. The framework of the conference is to discuss setting up an Innovation District in Galway.

Event organiser, Dave Cunningham said, “Over the years Galway has produced many leaders and entrepreneurs. The Innovating West Event is bringing together these talents to share their experiences and ideas. Galway City has a great opportunity to position itself as the West of Ireland Hub (the San Francisco of Europe) for creators and innovators.”

“An Innovation District in the heart of Galway will allow for an ecosystem to develop where established companies and startups come together to establish new technologies and services with global reach. The Galway City Innovation District has been strongly supported by Galway City Council, who have committed to supporting Innovating West and the Innovation District as part of its’ short and long term plans”.

Speakers at the conference include Padraig O’Ceidigh aviation and publishing entrepreneur, Morris O’Gorman who was Chief Operating Officer at NCB Capital, the largest bank in Saudi Arabia, John McGuire founder of GameGolf and John Concannon, the creator of the Gathering and Director of Ireland 2016 amongst many others.

Galway City was highlighted in 2014 by Financial Times’ FDI Magazine as the “Top Micro European City of the Future” (for populations under 100,000 people). It also featured in the Top 25 European Cities (of all sizes), and was ranked highly for economic potential, business friendliness and foreign direct investment strategy.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Gerry Barry, founder of Fintrax

• Dorothy Creaven, CEO of Element Wave, awarded best new startup in the 2013 InterTradeIreland Seecorn competition

• Willie Ruane, Pat Lam and Eric Elwood from the Connacht Rugby management team

For more information see www.innovatingwest.com